Jim Thompson House

Jim Thompson House

The Jim Thompson House is a unique cultural and historical site and is the former residence of Jim Thompson, an American businessman who is credited with revitalizing the Thai silk industry in the mid-20th century. After moving to Thailand, Thompson built this beautiful traditional Thai-style house in the 1950s using several teak wood houses that he collected from various parts of the country.

Useful Information

  • https://jimthompsonhouse.org/
  • Located in Central Bangkok
  • Guided tours are available in Thai, English, French, Chinese and Japanes.
  • Open 10am-5pm everyday. Last tour is 5pm
  • Duration of visit: 1.5 – 2hrs.
  • Cafe and Shop onsite.
  • The house itself is not air conditioned but the gardens offer shelter from the heat. The Cafe and shop have AC
  • There is a free shuttle from the main road although it is only a two minute walk.
  • Close to MBK, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre

Tip: Walk to the back of the garden and look through the fence and you will see one of Bangkok’s famous canals “Klongs” that criss cross through the City and are used by locals daily. Canal Tours are a great way of seeing the real Bangkok behind the scenes where real people live.

The house is surrounded by lush gardens and features a charming blend of Thai architecture and Western influences. Visitors can explore the interior, which is filled with a remarkable collection of art, antiques, and artifacts that Thompson gathered during his travels across Southeast Asia. The house showcases his love for Thai culture and design, and it reflects his aesthetic sensibility.

Jim Thompsons House is a great place to visit and being so close to the city centre is an ideal opportunity to see traditional Thai style houses.

In addition to the house itself, the Jim Thompson House complex includes a museum that provides insight into Thompson’s life, his contributions to the Thai silk industry, and his mysterious disappearance in 1967 while he was in Malaysia. The museum offers guided tours, during which visitors can learn about Thompson’s legacy and the significance of Thai silk.

The site also features a shop where you can purchase high-quality Thai silk products. The peaceful ambiance of the gardens and the historic charm of the house make it a popular destination for both tourists and locals looking to learn more about Thai culture and history.

How to get to Jim Thompsons House

BTS: The nearest BTS is National Stadium which is only 200m away. SIAM central station is also very close.
MRT: There isn’t an MRT Station that close by
TAXI: “บ้านจิม ทอมป์สัน” As Jim Thompsons House is right in the centre you might find getting a taxi there difficult at some times of the day.